By BRIAN GOOD
What Makes Amish Potato Salad So Delicious?
Amish potato salad dates back to the mid-18th century, when the Amish arrived in the U.S. This dish is deeply influenced by the faith's values of tradition and simplicity.
History
Amish cooking is known for its focus on handmade, from-scratch foods, using farm-fresh ingredients and time-honored recipes, resulting in their unique take on this beloved dish.
Amish potato salad is traditionally made in large batches, using recipes that have been passed down through generations, embodying comfort and natural ingredients.
Tradition
The recipe includes only ingredients you could grow or make yourself, like potatoes, hard-boiled eggs, other fresh produce, mayo, mustard, vinegar, sugar, herbs, and seasonings.
The mayo in Amish potato salad is homemade, not store-bought. It's created from a rich blend of oil, egg yolks, vinegar or lemon juice, and spices whisked together.
Special Mayo
Using homemade mayo incorporates the freshest ingredients with bold, bright flavors, enhancing the texture and taste of the potato salad while avoiding unnecessary additives.
Waxy potatoes like red, fingerling, and Yukon Gold are ideal for Amish potato salad. Their firm texture and thin skin help them retain shape and flavor when cooked.
Perfect Potatoes
Choosing the right potato contributes to the salad's quality and unique taste. Red potatoes offer sweetness, fingerlings are rich and nutty, while Yukon Golds are buttery.
Vinegar, typically apple cider vinegar or white vinegar, adds a bright, tangy flavor that balances the richness of the mayonnaise, creating a complex and refreshing taste.
Vinegar
Besides flavor, vinegar acts as a preservative, extending the salad's shelf life. It also tenderizes the potatoes, helping them absorb the dressing's flavors more effectively.